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Panthers look for improvement under Matt Rhule, Teddy Bridgewater

By Dean Jones

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 27: Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 27: Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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With new head coach Matt Rhule leading the way, the Carolina Panthers are hoping to have an explosive offense help along a young defense.

Best-case scenario

A winning record. That might be a realistic aim if everything clicks into place right away. But they have a roster that has undergone significant changes, coaching staff with little NFL coaching experience, and no preseason games to hone chemistry.

If head coach Matt Rhule can get this group to 8-8 or better, it will be a significant achievement and one that will stand them in good stead going forward. Given the strength of the NFC South, that will be easier said than done.

Worst-case scenario

It could get stormy real quick for the Panthers if things do not gel right away. Their defense has some serious questions to answer in 2020. And their worst-case scenario could be anything between 2-3 wins. This might get them within a shot of the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Yet this sort of record would be nothing short of a disaster in their pursuit of becoming a contender once again. Carolina made some bold moves this offseason in a bid to turnaround its fortunes. But it remains to be seen whether this is going to come with any immediate success.

Biggest offseason move

All eyes will be on Teddy Bridgewater as he looks to make another go at being a prominent starter. But Robby Anderson’s arrival has the potential to be huge. The wide receiver lit it up in camp. So hopes are high regarding his chances of making an instant impression. Putting him alongside D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel gives the Panthers one of the NFL’s best wideout groups.

Draft pick who makes the big impact

Derrick Brown. The No. 7 overall pick has been a dominant force during training camp, and his partnership with Kawann Short at defensive tackle could be key for the Panthers. Brown comes into the NFL with the highest of ceilings. Carolina struck gold when he fell into its laps and it would be a shock if Brown didn’t make a lasting impression in 2020.

Overall expectations

Things could legitimately go either way for the Panthers. They have a nice young group that does have some experienced starting options to lean on. But it is hard to gauge just how all this is going to come together until we see them on the field.

Carolina’s offensive line is a concern and their cornerback unit is an area that might struggle on a tough-looking schedule. Rhule is getting something of a free pass in 2020 during the first year of his rebuild. But the Panthers will still need to show progression ahead of what is sure to be another pivotal postseason period next spring.

They finished 5-11 last season, so anything better than this will be a bonus. Somewhere in the region of seven wins is not out of the realms of possibility. But this is far from a guarantee after an offseason of unprecedented change.